Southern University alumni, husband, father, coach and dear friend to many, Calvin Magee, left a legacy of love. Calvin Magee made a name for himself as a Buccaneer tight end with soft hands long before the Buccaneer colors were red and Pewter.
When we arrived in Tampa back in 1986 our families became friends. My daughter Tamina and his daughter Jade were inseparable. Even though I didn’t know much about football then, we had a game we played as couples, Pictionary, and he was just as competitive at that. Back then, the Buccaneers had a Hooters discount , so on weekends he would order wings and play at each other’s homes while our children played upstairs. Calvin, being an attentive father, noticed that every time they came over, my son, Braxton would go put on his suit coat. Calvin said, “boy I’m watching you.” Brax would just smile. We still have that autographed football he gave my son.
Being a Buccaneer never went to his head, Calvin stayed humble. Life after the NFL was challenging but good with Rose by his side. Calvin began his coaching career at Tampa Catholic, then to University of South Florida thanks to Lee Roy Selmon. From there, he relocated the family to the University of West Virginia for a few years, followed by Michigan University.
In 2011 Magee served as the offensive coordinator for the Pittsburgh Panthers on a brief stint and then went to the University of Arizona where he served as their offensive coordinator and running back coach. There he settled in, bought a dream home and his adult kids relocated there to be with them. Calvin also did a brief stint a few hours away at the University of Mexico as their offensive coordinator. Continuously doing what he loved, he accepted an assignment at the University of Mississippi in 2019 where he served as their Tight Ends Coach.
In 2021, for his last coaching assignment, Calvin and Rose purchased another home in Alabama and were enjoying life as empty nesters when this occurred. After 2 days and 12 attempted resuscitation and being told he was brain dead, Rose and the children all agreed to release him from life support and said their good-byes. Calvin smoothly took his last breaths and transitioned at 11:16 am on Friday .
Calvin’s Celebration of life was held in his hometown of New Orleans, Louisiana at his high school Booker T. Washington where his love story began with his wife Rose of 30+ years. Calvin leaves a wife, and three children, Jade, Bryson and Jasmine, a daughter-in-law and four grandchildren.
By: TampaBay Tammy
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